Painting in Augusta

Well, it's that time of year again, spring! I am in the process of packing up my art stuff for the annual painting trip to the plein aire 10 day event in Augusta, Missouri. There are about 100 artists signed up this year to participate. If you get a chance to venture that way during the 10 days, starting on April 21st, you should definitely try. It is amazing to be in the company of so many artists painting throughout the countryside. There are also planned painting events during the event and sales of the paintings completed during the event on May 1st. and the Mount Pleasant Winery from noon to 6pm. in Augusta, Mo.

The artists will be painting at Balducci's winery, the town of Augusta, Montelle winery, Definace Mo, Augusta shores, Chandler Hill Winery and along the Katy Trail. for more information contact Corinne at 636-228-1111 or go to the Augusta, Mo website.

Hope to see you there,
Jennylynne and Buddy(the plein aire painting dog)

On Top of the World-new painting

This painting was done from photos taken when we were up in Leadville, Colorado. The clouds were hanging low, in fact, at times it was hard to tell what where the clouds stopped and the mountains began. It was way to cold to paint,even for this die hard plein aire painter. This was the trip that my brave husband kept pulling off the side of the road(sometimes in grave peril and under protest) to let me take my photo references.

Let me know what you think by leaving comments on the blog site.

Thanks and have a great day!

Jennylynne

Rainy and Cloudy days are great painting days

My blog today is about cloud painting. This painting was done while sitting on my porch in Taos, New Mexico on a very cold and rainey day. I hauled my painting stuff out, put on a jacket, and painting for about four hours under the canopy of my porch. It was wonderful sitting there painting clouds while the rain came gently down. Plein aire experiences can work in any weather-you just need to be open to the moment. Happy Painting!

Jennylynne

Blue Springs Art League Exhibit and Sale

These two paintings will be in the Blue Springs Art League Exhibit this weekend. You can see all the wonderful artwork on display this Saturday and Sunday at the Vesper Hall Center on Vesper Rd. in Blue Springs, Missouri. The opening reception where you can meet the artists is Saturday from 7-9pm. You can buy tickets for the opening at the door.

Come on out and say hi!

Jennylynne

What do awards really mean?

Today's blog came about because I listended to two of my students bemoan the fact that they haven't received awards at the shows they have entered. It seems to be a re-current theme among aritst that enter shows. I have heard several of my artist friends who are devastated by the fact that they don't win awards.

What is it about awards that make our lives so centered around whether we "win" or "lose". When did it happen that it became more about the award and less about the art? Don't get me wrong awards are great. They are a validatioin that for that piece, on that day, someone thought your art was a stand out from the rest.

What I think we forget sometimes is that awards are someone's opinion about our work and the work of others in that particular show. What I think should be more important is how you view your work. Is it the best you could have produced? Does the composition and values work well for the concept? Are you proud of this piece? Is the drawing accurate? Does the art "say" what you wanted to say when you produced this piece? Does this piece move you and therefore your audience?

Art in the long run is a personal journey of each artist. Enjoy the journey and the process and your art will always be an "award" winner.

Happy painting,

Jennylynne

Two paintings that will be in the Blue Springs Art League Show

Coming up March 21 and 22nd is the Blue Springs Art League Show at Vesper Hall in Blue Springs, Mo. The painting "Toward the Light" featured here will be in this show along with a painting called "Waiting". Hope all of you come out and see all the great art that will be on exhibition and for sale.

Michael Davis, one of the woodworkers in the Gragg Art Gallery, will also have two pieces featured at this show.

The opening reception is Saturday from 7-9pm.Tickets to the reception can be purchased at the door the night of the reception $8.00 each or $15.00 per couple.

The Exhibition is open free to the public.

Miko, a tribute to a special little lady

Last week, we lost our beloved Miko. She had cancer which finally took her life. She was the love of my husband's Michael's life. She was a 14 year old shih tzu with personality plus. He commissioned me to do her portrait for him to hang in his den. This is the portrait done with love. Hope you enjoy her and her spirit which I think I have captured in her portrait.

Jennylynne